Cardinals-Packers: Key matchup – Dansby vs. Grant

Why it’s importantGrant is just the third back in Packers history to record consecutive seasons of at least 1,200 rushing yards, and since bursting on the scene midway through the 2007 season, his 3,385 yards are the second most in the league behind only Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson (3,814). Grant has had at least eight runs of 20 or more yards this season, and Dansby, the Cardinals’ leading tackler for three years in a row, will have to wrap him up every chance he gets.

Ryan Grant (left) has had at least eight runs of 20 or more yards this season, and Karlos Dansby, the Cards' leading tackler, will have to wrap him up every chance he gets.

Dansby is in his contract year but even by his own estimation, he has yet to play his best game. He hasn’t had a truly dominating performance like he did last year in the playoffs. If Grant gets a healthy dose of carries, Dansby will have to rise to the occasion. When Grant gets 22 or more handoffs, the Packers are 10-1.